That was the first album I ever bought with my own money.
I was listening to it at the gym while working out and it got me super pumped. It is quite saddening to see how much Metallica's music has changed. Lots of kick ass tracks that really get you pumped up and ready for action. The production could be a bit better tho..

It ventures back to their punk sound as opposed to hardcore which the previous two albums were. However, dealing with the same issues that I very much relate to. Finding worth, dealing with feeling little or no ambition because of the world around you and the cards you've been dealt, having little faith in people and the government, etc.

I did also have a chance to pick up the new Godsmack album, The Oracle.

It was ok, I've followed Godsmack forever and have liked all their stuff. They've never changed. That's cool because they stay true to their sound, but it might not be so good because unless you really know, you can't tell which songs are from which album.

I'll give it a 7/10, average. When I was in high school I would have given it a 9/10 but I observe their music a little differently now as my musical taste has begun to define itself.

Good album from Cage, although as a whole, I prefered "Hell's Winter". Standout track is "Fat Kids Need An Anthem", but this is an album I can easily listen to all the way without skipping a song.

Sage Francis - Li(f)e: 7/10

Sage is probably my favorite rapper, but I feel this album is not up to par with his last two. The beats are less catchy, the lyrics didn't get my attention as much, something seems "off" with it. It's not bad by any mean, as it is still good enough to keep, and maybe it'll grow on me eventually, but he's done better.

Pretty awesome. Don't like all of the songs, but a large portion of them are 'fucking awesome', which makes me inclined to give this album an almost perfect 9 out of 10. Am new to The Black Keys, and I've heard some of their older stuff, but this is the first album that I listened to all the way through and it was pretty incredible.

The fullness that somewhat lacked on their 2 previous records was totally filled this time around. Great flowing songs that have pretty great lyrics. Their "single" Swim Until You Can't See Land is good enough and everything around it is equal or better. Nice and rare in the indie world to find a full COMPLETE good album with no filler at all.

Another strong album from Melora and Co. Lyrically, it is stronger than Oh Perilous World, which suffered from lyrics that felt quite stilted at times. Musically, I think more interesting than they have done in quite awhile. Arrangement-wise, they have stripped all the recorders, dulcimers and pianos from the previous album; and kept just clean cellos, the occasional banjo, and the appearance of a erhu on one track. With the exception of one brief appearance, they have got rid of the distorted cellos, which was quite a surprise.

I think the only other person who listens to Rasputina on this board is WWKD, but all should listen to the cello-rific goodness.